She also struggles with her balance, and the couple fear for her safety as the only bathroom is upstairs.

Hillingdon Council offered Sarah and Dean two properties, including a home in West Drayton with two flights of stairs, but the couple turned them down.

Sarah said the homes offered would have been worse than their current accommodation.

'It's a matter of time before we break our necks'

The 35-year-old, who cares for her sister full time, said: “It's a matter of time before me or her break our necks.

“We can't live in this property any longer. It's such hard work.”

The couple have a 13-year-old, a 10-year-old and a five-year-old, and say their situation is stressful for the whole family.

Sarah and Dean are in the highest priority bracket for a new home in the Locata system used by Hillingdon Council.

'There is a high demand'

A spokesman for Hillingdon Council said: “The council has invited Ms Knight to bid for more suitable social rented properties as they become available, however there is a high demand for larger, family sized social rented homes in Hillingdon.

“The local authority has therefore advised Ms Knight to consider all housing options open to her and she has been offered support to secure suitable, alternative accommodation in the private rented sector.

“Hillingdon Council continues to help many families to successfully resolve their housing difficulties in this way."

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